CHAPTER LVII 



MICROBE OF THE SYPHILISTIC PLAGUE 



POLLUTING the source of life pollutes the whole 

 life. The syphilistic plague does this. Beginning 

 in the genital organs, it finally reaches and blights 

 the entire being. 



The plague has three germs, or stages. The first 

 is Gonorrhea. It is caused by a spherical microbe. 

 Millions of little balls work the mischief, Fig. 93. 



The second is the soft sore. It is caused by a 

 rod-shaped microbe. The poison is generated by 

 millions of minute rods. The rods are slightly 

 oval, Fig. 94. 



The third is the syphilis proper. It is caused 

 also by a rod-shaped microbe. Multiplying itself 

 into millions, they generate the terrible virus, Fig. 

 95. 



In all its forms, the disease begins in the genital 

 organs. These are the first to suffer. The lining 

 membranes are inflamed, with poisonous secretions 

 as the result. 



Here, by their life functions, multiplying to any 

 extent, the germs enter the circulation, and are 

 carried to other, or all parts, of the system ; to the 

 intestinal tract, inflammation, ulceration are the 

 result; to the joints, they inflame, swell, ache; to 



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